Patna, Dec. 8: Five more persons died after drinking spurious liquor in Bhojpur district today, taking the toll to 13.

Reports reaching the state headquarters said the five persons died at Anaith village and adjoining areas under Nawada police station. Unconfirmed reports, however, put the casualties at 18.

Administrative and excise department officials said the toll might increase because several persons were undergoing treatment at nursing homes and government hospitals. Bhojpur superintendent of police M.R. Naik said: “Excise officers and the police have launched joint raids to arrest those responsible for the tragedy.”

He added that 16 people, including three suppliers of illicit liquor, have been arrested from various parts of the district. While Pappu Kumar Choudhary used to supply liquor in and around Anaith, Manoj Yadav and Mohan Sao used to deliver the consignment in areas adjacent to the railway station, he added.

Naik said all unauthorised manufacturing units in Anaith and the areas from where the deaths were reported have been sealed.

Bhojpur district magistrate Pratima S. Verma said over 600 litres of illicit liquor and huge quantity of raw material have been seized.

Activists of the CPI-ML (Liberation), which called an Ara bandh in protest against the hooch tragedy, took out processions across the town and forced closure of shops in and around railway station.